This blog will be a resource for me to critique music videos and mixtapes. I don't call myself The Media PRHO for no reason; I love media in general, but more specifically music. Thus, being a critic is befitting for a person like me.

Friday, July 23, 2010

T.I. and Keri Hilson collaborate to tell the tale of significant others that have each other’s backs. There are a couple of couples in the video and you get to see that they stick with each other through highs and lows. Simply stated this video is about unconditional love, and letting your significant other know you appreciate them being so supportive. Chris Robinson directed the Got Your Back music video.

3 Pros

T.I. and Keri Hilson complement each other in multiple ways.

You get to see a few couples in this video.

The mother of T.I.’s significant otherTameka “Tiny” Cottleshowed that she had T.I.’s back by making a cameo in the music video.

3 Cons

The backgrounds behind Keri and T.I. were too simplistic.

Keri Hilson’s jewelry did not impress me at all.

You get to see that Keri and T.I. are essentially on either side of a wall prop with, and Chris Robinson could have used some video effects instead.

So, I’m not going to waste everyone’s time by re-reviewing the Love All Over Me Video. Yet, I wanted to update y’all by telling you that the world shoes the end of the video, and now the new version is available. I don’t want to spoil the ending, so I am just going to say Monica looked beautiful in her dress and happy with her husband. Warning: Don't read the video comments, like I foolishly did, unless you want the end to be spoiled for you!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

This music video is the platform for Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, and Novel to tell other people they need to see the things they talk about because they don’t take anyone’s word for truth. So, if you are trying to prove something to the aforementioned artist make sure you back your words up with your actions. The video was directed by Rick Cordero.

3 Pros

There underrated artist are showcased together.

As a person that listens to Joell Ortiz I felt this video displayed him well.

You get to see the artists without much glitz and glamor.

3 Cons

For people that don’t know the artists it can be hard to decipher which artist is which.

We Don’t Believe You looks low budget.

The video looks like a vintage recording because lines run through it.

Rick Ross’ B.M.F. music video basically can be summed up as telling the story of a drug dealer that feels as if he is drug kingpin, Bigh Meech, and the innovator of a gang, Larry Hoover. The video was directed by Maybach Films and Parris. Just so you are forewarned: this song and video might release your inner thug.

3 Pros

The video upholds Rick Ross’ thug persona.

The special effects in this video were good, and better than I expected.

A number of regular people are in the video.

3 Cons

The video showcases negative stereotypes about black people.

Rick Ross was a little too happy to be in the barbershop, that didn’t seem genuine in the least bit.

A few lyrics were censored, and I think Rick Ross could have made replacement words for the video since he knew it was going to be edited.

Ne-Yo’s Beautiful Monster is the sequel to Champagne Life. Now we see the super hero after he has finished living the champagne life for the night. He seems to be extremely drunk and he reminds me of Will Smith in the movieHancock. We now get to meet the beautiful monster, or young lady that caused Ne-Yo to break the third rule set forth by Columbus Short, which was to abstain from falling in love. The video was directed by Wayne Isham and Ne-Yo.

3 Pros

The scenes in the club where people were frozen kept me interested.

The special effects in this video were good, and better than I expected.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Ne-Yo’s Champagne Life music video tells of good times that Ne-Yo and his two friends have since they gained super powers from Columbus Short. The three friends rule the earth as long as they don’t break three rules Columbus Short has set out for them. There is an interview at the end of this video, but I can’t find that version online. The video was directed by Wayne Isham and Ne-Yo.

3 Pros

The music video is a mini-film.

Ne-Yo’s actions make headlines as soon as he does something which is similar to how media treat celebrities nowadays.

The music video has a fun-loving atmosphere for the most part.

3 Cons

This version of the video was more concerned with the friends having a champagne life rather than giving us the plot of this part of the story.

The choreography was lackluster especially since Ne-Yo is a good dancer.

The music video would probably make more sense if people could find the extended verison online.

Eminem’s not afraid video addresses his fears, and he proclaims he is not afraid and will get over his problems. He acknowledges his faults. Yet, he doesn’t completely know himself which is suggested from the distorted images he sees of himself. Eminem literally breaks out of his cage to put his life back in order, and just when he feels he is about to hit rock bottom he gains super powers. Not Afraid was directed by Rich Lee.

3 Pros

Not Afraid was suspenseful because you never know what to expect from Eminem.

I felt Eminem’s pain and I was right there with him getting over it.

Eminem saw himself distorted when he looked in the mirror.

3 Cons

Some of the symbolism might be a little too deep for some people to catch.

B.O.B. and Hayley Williams team up to convey the idea that they could use a wish. Airplanes does seem like a dream land because of all the lights and solitude. With a word or two all the other people in the video disappear. Airplanes was directed by Hiro Murai. I like the video and I believe it was a great collaboration for all parties.

3 Pros

Hayley was shown singing in photographs.

Hiro Murai did a good job of suddenly getting rid of people in the music video.

Hiro Murai captured the type of emotion I hoped to see from B.O.B. in this video.

3 Cons

The lights were distracting me at times.

I think some of the video could’ve have been a little more in line with the lyrics.

Brisco’s On The Wall video is very visually stimulating. Some of the effects used were simply brilliant. The video shows that women want both Brisco and Lil’ Wayne. Yet, I expected to see much more women. I think for a concept like this the male artist shouldn’t be shown together because I would find the thought that women want them so much more believable. On The Wall was directed by Jovii Hendrix.

3 Pros

The beginning of the video is truly artistic.

There are a lot of elements that I have never seen in a music video.

The video stimulates the artist and critic in me.

3 Cons

The random revolving things in the background that resemble telephone receivers are annoying.

Sean Garrett’s Get It All Music video is the story of a guy that has a girlfriend. Yet, the twist is other women think they are more fitting for Mr. Garret. Sean Garret has a lot of attractive women that are telling him he can “get it all.” So, watch the video and see how Sean handles his dating dilemma. The Get It All music video was directed by Sean Garrett and Black Elvis.

3 Pros

The introduction to the song and video was clever.

I liked the majority of the outfits that are worn in Get It All.

I like the fact that Sean tries to give a flashback of his past.

3 Cons

The wipe transition is used a lot back to back and it gets a little repetitive.

I didn’t fully understand who Sean’s Girlfriend was.

I would’ve liked for Nicki Minaj to have a better outfit for her grand entrance.

Monica’s Love All Over Me music video shows the typical story of girl meets boy they fall in love; boy has to leave, so girl falls in love with another boy. Monica is torn between her old love and her new love, and that concept is relatable because I know a number of people that face the same situation just under different circumstances than Monica. Love All Over Me was directed by Chris Robinson. This is my favorite song on Monica’s latest album Still Standing, and this will most likely be my favorite video from the album.

Nicki Minaj’s Your Love music video in my words is a display of her self-proclaimed geisha persona. Nicki Minaj’s video showcases Japanese culture with the samurai swords, kimonos, and other aspects. Your Love was directed by Lil X, the protege, of music video legend Hype Williams. The video was not what I thought it would be, but I still liked it.

Mixtape Kings and Queens Note

The mixtape portion of my blog will be used to review the mixtapes of Mixtape Queens and Kings; people that have become famous through mixtapes,or have mixtapes that are exceptional . In regards to this blog underground artist are people that do not have studio albums, and mainstream artist have studio albums.

About Me

I am from AL, but I am a Communication Studies Major at Longwood University in Farmville, VA. I love music, so everyday I listen to new hip-hop, R&B, and rap music. I also write poetry and songs. I personally, believe the three genres have begun to merge. I have developed a respect for mixtapes, and I have been listening to them for at least three years now. I hope be an Artist and Repitoire (A&R) at a record label. I would like to own my own record label as soon as I learn the ropes, and the tricks of the trade. I love all types of media, but something about good music speaks to me.